We first began attending our current church when Leeland was 2 weeks old. And we came with suitcases of baggage. Lots of them. Our previous church had crumbled right in front of our eyes and we were hurt by many. We came to Westover to hide out. We knew it was a big church, we thought we knew no one who went there and we went with our 2 week old babe each week to just attend. A place to attend and not get involved and not get hurt by people..... but boy did the Lord change our hearts! (And we are so thankful He did!)
So 5 1/2 years later after first entering the doors of that big ole church to hide, we have grown, we have changed, we have forgiven, and we have gotten connected. I couldn't imagine being at any other church! I love that we have met so many, and made wonderful friends, but also love that it's the only church our boys have ever known and that they have grown and fellowshipped with their friends and learned so much about the Lord.
The purpose of the dedication was to thank the Lord for each of our wonderful little men, but also publicly profess our faith and our plans to raise our boys in the faith and that we would love for the church to come alongside us in discipling them and shepherding us as a family.
It was such a special day for us!
I found this beautiful dedication invitation here on Etsy and the seller was so gracious to adapt it to include all three boys and the verse that we chose for them.
We sent out invites to all of our family and were so excited that many were able to come and join us! We had an entire row full there to watch and support us.
We went on stage, each of the boys were introduced to the church, the verse that we chose was read aloud and Pastor Don held the littlest and prayed over our family. This is the verse that we chose for our boys....
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
-Ephesians 3:14-21
Oh how I pray that they know Him and love Him! We are so thankful for such supportive family and friends and our church family. Thank you to all who came out and who have been so encouraging and thoughtful making the boys' dedication day so special.
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